Theatre and Culture from Scotland, starring The List's Theatre Editor, his performance persona and occasional guest stars. Experimental writings, cod-academic critiques and all his opinions, stolen or original.

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Fred Frith The Right AngelRoscoe Mitchell NonaahFrith, Mitchell, Lewis ImprovisationGeorge Lewis New Work (World Premiere)Fred Frith GuitarGeorge Lewis Trombone and electronicsRoscoe Mitchell Saxophones/reedsIlan Volkov ConductorBBC Scottish Symphony OrchestraRoscoe Mitchell, Fred Frith, and George Lewis have long been at the forefront of new musical expression: saxophonist Mitchell, an original member of the AACM, with his groundbreaking performances with the Art Ensemble of Chicago; guitarist Frith, a founding member of the important English avant-rock group Henry Cow; and trombonist Lewis, a pioneer in interactive computer music.

Henry Cow were a rare example of a British psychedelic band who genuinely engaged with exploring improvisation and the like: various members have turned up in other bands (Frith was in John Zorn's Naked City project, Tim Hodgkinson was in GOD, my favourite noise free jazz collective).

AACM have provided hours of difficult listening pleasure, especially when they put down the proper instruments and used toys instead.For many years all three have been engaged with composition and in this special concert, for BBC Radio 3’s Hear and Now, their works for orchestra are featured, with an arrangement of the title track of Mitchell’s 1976 album Nonaah; Frith’s 2003 work The Right Angel, with the composer performing on guitar; and the World Premiere of a new work by Lewis. In addition, Mitchell, Lewis, and Frith, who have known each other for decades, will perform together for the very first time. Join conductor Ilan Volkov, members of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and three icons of experimental music from both sides of the Atlantic for a genre-busting evening.
The SSO have been trying to mix it up over the past few years: making connections beyond the predictable and putting together events that bridge the gap between the orchestral and the world beyond classical music. After last year's evening of John Zorn, and the Tectonics festivals, they seem to be making an argument that the boundaries are dissolving...

Absurd opinions, extended reviews, random press releases from The Arts, half baked ideas, unsuccessful experiments with the format of criticism. Brought to you by the host of The Vile Arts Radio Hour and former Theatre Editor of The Skinny, now working with The List